Through my role as chair of MinterEllison's industry program, I ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of developments and anticipate future trends for each industry. By leveraging specialised knowledge, our clients benefit from insights that drive innovation and competitive advantage within their specific industry landscapes.

I also lead the integrated legal, consulting and business operations of our AI Client Advisory practice. Our co-designed collaborative approach allows clients to embrace with confidence the opportunities offered by AI, while mitigating risks and ensuring the safe and responsible application of this transformative technology.

With more than 28 years' experience at MinterEllison, I am highly regarded for my in-depth understanding of the health industry, and its associated opportunities, risks, regulation and funding. I develop long term relationships with the firm's clients and provide practical solutions that are tailored to each client’s specific needs. By taking a person-centred approach, I place our client's objectives, workforce and consumers - whether they be patients, residents, research participants or customers - at the centre of all that I do. I am regularly called upon to solve our client's most complex challenges, which I do in a responsive, commercial and outcome focussed way. Due to my intimate knowledge of the industry, I work with the firm’s corporate and project lawyers to co-ordinate and deliver practical, industry-specific, client-focused advice related to health transactions, projects and investments. I also assist clients of the firm navigate the fast-moving AI environment with confidence to maximise opportunities while mitigating risk.

Career highlights

• Acted as lead legal adviser in significant reputational matters, including health privacy breaches; matters where hospital patients contracted legionella; public health readiness and emergencies; device recalls; call backs from infection control breaches; potential issues with public health screening
• Key external advisor for a State Health Department throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing strategic advice, drafting directions and representation in inquiries
• For over 28 years, managed portfolios of claims, litigation, coronial inquests and responses to regulatory investigations for health clients across Australia
• Manage a 24/7 client assistance service, helping hospital executives, clinicians and in-house legal counsels with urgent clinical management queries and management of significant adverse outcomes
• Represented clients during the Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry, Queensland Health Payroll System Commission of Inquiry, Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland
• Conducted, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, safety and service reviews of health services to address identified issues and improve safety
• Drafted health practitioner by-laws for private hospital organisations throughout Australia, and subsequently managed enquiries regarding credentialing applications, scope of practice reviews – internal and external, suspension of accreditation, termination of accreditation, internal appeals and associated court applications
• Advised on the regulatory, risk, data and funding aspects of acquiring or investing in companies across the full spectrum of the health industry in Australia
• Advising clients on AI integration within their operations by establishing frameworks, guardrails and accountability processes for the safe and responsible design, deployment and use of AI.